“Just by looking at its structure, I guarantee you glyphosate is degradable. This debate is clearly not about safety, but about trust,” he said.

Control weeds

Glyphosate-based herbicides are typically applied before crops are sown to control weeds.

Prof Boga said that given its non-selective nature, glyphosate is not applied directly to crops and therefore the possibility of residues occurring in high levels in edible parts of the crops is minimal.

But Ms Mochache said glyphosate had been detected in air during spraying, in water and in food.

“It has also been detected in the blood and urine of agricultural workers indicating absorption,” she said.